Pastor Powell's Column

June 2008

Music of the Heart

The young minister was admonished by one of the matriarchs of a rural church: “I don’t see how you can leave us to take a vacation, pastor. You know, the devil never takes a vacation!”

“How true, sister. And you know your pastor would become just like that if he didn’t take a vacation either!”

Summer is a time ministry changes at The Fellowship, but ministry doesn’t cease. One of the great ministry opportunities this summer is our Worship Concert series.

In one sense, every Sunday is a worship concert. It’s not just our choir, worship bands, soloists, and instrumentalists. It’s a congregation that loves to sing! A great Savior generates great love, and great love generates great singing. Young and old alike join in expressing that love . . . now in songs of hearty celebration, now in hymns of fervent devotion.

Yet summer affords a different pace and schedule, when we can show up for a relaxed twilight concert that allows us more time than usual to fill the air with vibrant praise, echoing through the woods and across New Pond.

Last summer we were able to host our very first major concert in our new facility. We were packed out as Irish artist Robin Mark drew a crowd from many towns around, and even across state lines.

This summer there will be three concerts. These are worship concerts. That means the emphasis is on the glory of God, not on entertainment by a celebrity. We gather to lift our hearts to Him in thanks and adoration.

First will be Randy Fish on June 29. A long-time favorite at The Fellowship, Randy’s mellow baritone is well suited to traditional gospel songs, ballads, and spirituals. This summer we say a bittersweet farewell to Randy after his twelve-plus years of leading our choir. We wish him well as he moves from his professorship at Eastern Nazarene College to a new position at Messiah College near Philadelphia. Randy’s stories have often left us laughing till we cry, or deeply stirred by an insightful spiritual analogy. No one wants to miss his parting concert on that Sunday evening.

Next will be Chris Lindberg and his new band, leading worship on Saturday, July 12. Chris is the youngest artist in the series, and his concert will have the most congregational participation. Chris has a vision to move God’s people to new levels of sincere worship. He wants to see churches all across New England ignited with the holy fire of love for Christ. A versatile musician, he combines traditional and recent songs and hymns, together with Scripture and prayer to create a love-feast, a festival of praise.

For the third concert Robin Mark returns to us on Saturday, August 22. Robin is an internationally known worship leader, and composer of such recent favorites as “Days of Elijah” and “Revival”. Because of the great experience we had last year, the interest of many across New England, and the cost of bringing Robin from Belfast, this will be the only ticketed concert of the series. Call for tickets. It is expected to sell out early.

Members of The Fellowship family are encouraged to invite others to enjoy these concerts. Try to think not only of Christian friends and neighbors. This is the kind of event that can be thoroughly enjoyed by many of your unchurched friends and family members.